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Security guards look on after a bottle was thrown from the Belmore Sports Ground crowd on Monday night. Fairfax Media does not suggest anyone pictured threw a bottle. Photo: Brendon Thorne Security look on after the incident. Fairfax Media does not suggest anyone pictured threw a bottle. Photo: Brendon Thorne

Bulldogs officials believe they know the identity of a fan who hurled a glass bottle towards the vicinity of the Raiders bench, smashing on an exercise bike, in an incident which marred Canberra’s upset win over Canterbury at Belmore Sports Ground on Monday night.

The bottle-throwing drama spoiled a Bulldogs game for the second straight season with two objects hurled towards the Raiders bench from the Belmore concourse, one believed to be in the immediate aftermath of Canterbury back-rower Josh Jackson being sent to the sin bin.

The glass bottle was believed to be Wild Turkey bourbon.

Last year’s Good Friday clash between the Bulldogs and Rabbitohs involved a bitter fallout when referees pelted with projectiles from irate ANZ Stadium patrons.

The NRL threatened to crack down on fans who engaged in such behaviour in the aftermath of the Black Friday clash.

Bulldogs chief executive officer Raelene Castle said she was unsure if the culprit, who was swiftly ejected by police, was a member or general admission patron.

“We’ve identified the individual and the fans have helped us identify who that person is and they’re speaking to that person,” Castle said. “They got on it and dealt with it really quickly.

“It’s not acceptable. Absolutely not acceptable. We’ll be doing all we can to make sure that we communicate with our fans that that behaviour is not acceptable.

“They can’t get glass into that place unless you’ve snuck it in. I can only assume that person has snuck it in. We believe we know who the person is.”

The NRL hinted they had a range of sanctions available to them – including docking competition points from the Bulldogs – if a similar incident happened during last year’s season.

The latest crowd drama will provide a fresh headache for Castle, one of the most savvy operators in the game.

It came on the same night former Bulldogs boss Todd Greenberg was officially welcomed back to Belmore for the first time after rising to the NRL’s top job, earning lavish praise pre-game from chairman Ray Dib.

Police and security lined the tunnel at full time, but the 13,463 crowd dispersed without incident.

“The Bulldogs have dealt with it very professionally and very well,” Raiders coach Ricky Stuart said after the match. “Canterbury is a great club and they jumped on it quickly and we don’t want those unruly fans in our game.”

Stuart said no Raiders player or official was hit by the bottle.

Jackson’s sin binning cruelled any hopes of a Bulldogs comeback in the second half as Canberra’s fast start powered them to a 22-8 win and third spot on the competition ladder.

This story Administrator ready to work first appeared on Nanjing Night Net.